Vegas Chapter 3
"Andy, sorry I am so late." Darien pulled out the red velvet chair of the stuffy restaurant and sat down in a rush. "There was this incident earlier and I was so tired from the meetings that I just must have passed out."
Andy's eye's narrowed a little, but a forced laugh came out and she put her hand up. "Darien. Really it's okay. You were only like fifteen minutes late. I ordered us some wine. I am glad you got to rest."
"Thanks'" Darien settled in to his seat and ran his hand though his ebony hair. "So how did your meetings go? Did you end up getting in to the Molecular Tissue Lab like you wanted to?" Darien pulled out his napkin and relaxed a bit.
"Of course. I always get what I want." Her eyes sparkled. "But, we always talk about work and the conferences. We never talk about anything else." She pouted. It did not have the same effect and someone else had on him.
Darien of course was also disappointed but tried his best not to show it. He was really looking forward to talking about work to get Serena off of his mind.
"Oh. Okay. What do you want to talk about?" He asked taking a sip of red wine that the server has poured after Andy gave it the okay.
"I don't know… anything really." He eyes lit up, "Oh, I did see something very funny today. This silly, want to be hot, blond girl being knocked in to the pool by some bartender. She was rather lucky though; some guy jumped right in and saved her." Andy laughed a little bit as she waited for Darien's reaction. At the way she saw them banter after he pulled her out she knew that he would make fun of the blond princess.
"Yeah that would be me." He muttered under his breath now taking a gulp of the wine.
"You!" Andy went all wide eyed pretending she didn't know it was Darien. "Who knew you could be so noble?" She winked.
"Yeah I guess I have a weakness for damsels in distress." The irony was not lost of either of them. Sailor Moon.
"Well you certainly can't pick them. You at least could have picked a prettier girl to save. Maybe a real blond. Plus, she is just a child." Andy smirked. This was not going in the right direction. She needed him to agree with her.
Darien stared at Andy. "I thought she had grown up very pretty, myself." He retorted and then took another large gulp of wine. Did he just say that out loud?
"Oh, so you know her?" Andy's green eyes darkened. He knew her!
"Yes, I know her. Is this what you want to talk about Andy? Serena?" He was getting confused at how Andy could keep going on about this.
"It's Serena now? Not the blond you saved?" Andy quipped back. Darien was dumbfounded as to where is conversation was headed.
"Why are we having this conversation? Yes, I have known Serena for almost five years now. We live near each other in Tokyo and we have the same friends." Darien was starting to get very angry now and he wasn't sure why but it could have something to do with the possessive look in Andy's eye.
Andy calmed down for a but she had to jab one more time. "Well I bet her father was not too happy about you having your hands all over his child."
Darien was trying to control his temper. Instead he smirked and gave one of his signature smiles. "Actually, he invited me to dinner and I accepted."
Andy was in a rage. This was happening to her again. She finally had the chance to be with Endymion and he was going out with that Moon brat! "Darien! I forbid you to see her!"
Darien's eyes went stern and he whispered loudly leaning across the table. "Andy! Are you nuts? We are not even dating. I can see who ever I want." He was seriously concerned for the woman across from him. She had always seemed so normal.
"NOT DATING!" She yelled back causing the other diners to stop eating and stare at them.
"Andy, enough. I'm done here." And with that Darien left the table and walked out of the restaurant only to run in to a small blond and her family.
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The Tsukino family were on their way to dinner. They had just got done dropping off the last of Sammy's things at the dorm he would be staying at. In-between the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas with the bright fluorescent lights, the small family chatted absent mindedly about how nice Sammy's school was and what a great time he was going to have. Her mom went on and on about all of the places that the conference was going to in the next three years and what her and Serena's father planned on doing in each city.
"So Serena, that boy that saved you earlier he was quite a nice fellow. What was his name again? Darien?" Ilene piped up.
"Mom, not this again. Not only am I embarrassed that he jumped in to the pool to save me like I was a child. Dad had to go and invite him to dinner with us tomorrow!" Serena wailed.
"Honey, he saved you! We should be thankful for that." Ken added in.
"Dad, seriously, what is wrong with you? Two weeks ago you wouldn't let me near a boy and now it's like you are throwing one at me!" Not that I really mind, I have always liked Darien, but he just thinks I am an idiot. Plus, I am not allowed to date anyone. The scouts would kill me.
Ilene watched as Serena chewed on her lip. "Bunny, don't you dare think that a boy is too good for you! No boy is good enough for you."
Serena knew that the only man for her was Endymion and even if he wasn't… it was tough shit. That was the only man she would ever be allowed to be with. If he ever showed up… typical of a guy to keep a girl waiting.
It was in-between thoughts when Serena felt someone come barreling in to her. Slowly she felt herself falling toward the sidewalk. Then strong, familiar arms grabbed her and pulled her up from her impending doom with the concrete.
"Omph." Serena took in a deep breath, he smelled like roses and chocolate. She knew that smell. His arms where still around her, tightly, slowly she looked up in to dark angry eyes.
Ilene and Ken looked at the couple. Well this was unexpected. It was almost like they were meant to be together, they both thought.
Darien looked down at the small bundle in his arms. No matter where, no matter how, this always seemed to happen.
"Darien, you baka, why are you always running in to me." Serena yelled! And so did this…
"Meatball head, I didn't run in to you, you are just always in my way." He retorted like a child.
"IN YOUR WAY!" She screeched. "I was walking freely, minding my own business when YOU. RAN. IN. TO. ME!"
"Lower the decibels, Serena." He said crossing his arms looking at down at her.
"Yes, honey, please. People are starting to stare." Ilene said smiling.
"Oh, Mr. and Mrs. Tsukino. I am so sorry, how is your evening?" Darien scratched his head in nervously.
"Fine, just fine young man." Ken answered with a smile.
Serena just about had it with he father's happy attitude toward Darien Chiba. He had never liked any boy that came around to her. Show your true colors, dad! You can do it!
"So, Darien, was it?" Ken asked.
"Yes, sir, Dr. Darien Chiba." They shook hands.
"Well, Dr. Chiba, tomorrow's dinner invite is still on but would you like to join us for dinner tonight?" Ken asked Darien.
Serena's eyes fell out of her head. "Nani?"
The scouts were not going to like this… or they didn't have to know.
Darien looked back in to the restaurant and watched and Andy sat at the table staring at the interaction between him and the Tsukino's. He looked at Serena's face, which looked incredulous. Serena's mothers face looked delighted.
"Sure, I would love to." He agreed easily.
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On the walk to dinner Darien noticed how Serena's eyes lit up at the sights and sounds of Vegas. She walked silently along side Darien, but he could tell by her body language that she was truly entranced by the city. He could tell how she had changed by the way she was not shrieking at the sights like she would have when she was younger. When he looked closely to the interactions with her family it was almost like she was trying to put on a show of childishness for her parents. Beyond the facade, when you looked closely she really was a woman. A truly beautiful woman.
They walked in to the Hard Rock casino and to the critically acclaimed NOBU restaurant. He didn't realize that Ken Tsukino had so much money.
"So, it will be nice to have fusion Japanese dinner. Eh, Darien." Ken asked him as they sat down.
"Yes, sir. I have been traveling for about six months now. I go home in two days time." He stated now not longing for it as much as he had.
"Two days?" Ilene asked quickly, arching her brow. She didn't have much time then. It had to be tonight.
"Yes, I have finally have a full time position at the Azabu hospital and I just purchased my first place in the Motoazabu apartments."
"You what? Those places are very expensive." Serena said impressed.
Darien just smiled at her.
"So, what shall we drink tonight? Sake?" Ken asked.
"Sounds fine to me, Darien, Serena?" Ilene asked.
"Well that sounds fine to me, but, and I mean no offense, isn't Serena to young to drink in America?" Darien said confused.
"I am not a child, Darien." Serena responded crossing her arms in front of her chest.
"No one here thinks you are, Bunny. Darien, we gave Serena a 'fake ID'" She whispered.
Darien looked over at Serena. Well, she could pass for someone twenty-one with her expansive bust-line and long legs. Let's just see if she could pull off not acting like a child.
Ken ordered a fine bottle of Sake and four glasses. When the man went to card Serena she just flashed one of her million watt smiles and the man was goo in her hands.
Darien rolled his eyes at the situation and so did Ken.
"That was easy." Serena smiled.
"I don't know if it is okay to leave you by yourself now honey." Ilene said worry clear in her voice. "Look at how men just seem to… I don't know… Plus, it's not like you have had loads of experience with boys. What if one tries to take advantage of you?" Her brow furrowed in concern.
"Wha.. what do you mean leaving her alone." Darien asked confused and slightly worried looking at Mrs. Tsukino.
"It's no big deal. It will be great." Serena smiled thinking about how no man is even allowed to go near her or Rei, Lita and Amara would rip their freaking heads off in two seconds. She grinned even more imagining it.
"You alone in Tokyo?" Darien said in disbelief. He didn't like the sound of that.
"I took a job following the conference and Ilene and I always wanted to travel. Sammy moved here this week to attend a Magnet school and Serena graduates in four months. So we figured it best if she just finished the school year in Tokyo by herself. Plus, she has great friends she should be fine." Ken said.
Just then the server came back and poured the sake and took the order continuing to fall all over himself as he talked to Serena. She didn't realize she was leading him on when she acted politely. A flutter of her eye lashes and that smile. It is how Serenity acted. Darien and Ken frowned and they gave each other a knowing look.
Serena took a sip of the Sake. "Well my friends are very protective and when I find the one and only man for me I will marry him." Serena said elegantly.
"You seem very sure about that?" Darien stated.
"I have no choice. Don't worry I will invite you all to my wedding. Let's talk about something else."
The whole table stared at Serena in confusion. Where was this coming from?
Two bottles of sake later the Tsukino family and Darien were laughing hysterically as Darien told a story about messing up words when he first arrived in America and how he was constantly offending people without realizing it.
Serena was feeling buzzed and so incredibly attracted to Darien. He was meshing with her family so well and somewhere deep inside she wished there was more between them.
When they arrived back at the PALMS, Ken and Ilene did something that shocked Serena.
"Well, honey, we are going to bed. Why don't you and Darien go out of the town tonight?" Ilene said.
"What?" Serena said. Her jaw dropped.
"Yeah why not, Darien, you will take good care of my baby girl won't you. Here's some spending money." Ken handed Darien some cash. Darien just stood there stunned. What was happening…
"Good night. See you in the morning!" Ilene kissed Serena on the cheek and Ken gave her a hug.
"Um... night mom and dad." It came out more like a question.
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As soon and Ken and Ilene reached their room chaos began. Clothes began to fly as both of Serena's parents began to alter their appearances. At the end they were barely recognizable.
Ilene wore a blond short wig with brown contacts. She was dressed to impress with a short black dress and gold heels. It was amazing how with her usual long dresses that there was actually a hot body underneath.
Ken put on a black haired wig and replaced his glasses for contacts. He was sharply dressed like a metro-sexual with a floral top on, stone washed jeans and those horrendous black pointed shoes. Something he swore he would never do, but so was hatching a plan to get his only daughter married.
"Wow, Ilene, you look hot!" Ken said. Ilene giggled a little bit.
"You can call me Roxy for the evening." She said seductively walking up to him and grabbing him by the collar. "And what's your name?" She purred.
"You can call me Buck, because I like to…" Ilene swatted him.
"Okay, okay, call me Tyler." He gave in.
"Are you ready to pull this off, Tyler?" Ilene asked.
"Ready as I will ever be, Roxy." Ken said.
Ken picked up the phone and called down to the valet stand where Ilene had paid someone to catch where Serena and Darien would be heading so that they could follow them. This was going to be one very interesting night.
Hey Everyone! I am updating as much as my two kids will allow. I know it is somewhat frustrating but now you can start from the beginning:)
ZS